After making the nation proud with her talent in tennis, India’s tennis sensation Sania Mirza is all set to be nominated for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, one of India’s prestigious titles.
Reports suggest that sports ministery forwarded her name to the awards committee and the members will soon shortlist the names of the awardees. Sania has already received Padma shree in the year 2006 and the Arjuna Award in 2004. Amongst her accomplishments is her first and lone grand slam in women’s doubles with Martina Hingis. She also won gold in mixed doubles and bronze in women’s doubles along with her respective partners in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, and the latest US opens mixed doubles.
According to a source, the ministry forwarded her name as All India Tennis Association failed to do so within the time period provided. “There’s no confirmation of her getting the award yet. The ministry is only condoning the delay (on part of the tennis federation) in receipt and forwarding her application to the committee. That is all,” added the source.
As mentioned in the clause, government can recommend upto two sports persons for the mentioned award under certain circumstances such as this. With Sania being nominated by the ministry, some other deserving players like Dipika Pallikal (squash), Sardar Singh (Hockey) seem to be hindered. Similar sparks had flew when Discus thrower Krishna Poonia had expressed her displeasure while double-trap shooter Ronjan Sodhi was recommended for the 2013 awards. However, the final list of awardees is yet to be disclose